Sunday, July 20, 2008

New and Improved

by Beth Andrews

I'm very proud of myself. You see, I wrote a new partial (for those nonwriters, that's usually the first three chapters and a synopsis). Now, you may ask, why the heck am I so proud - haven't I written partials before? You bet I have. But all of those stories were romance or romantic suspense stories. This partial is for a young adult book. Written in First Person even.

In other words, it's something I've never attempted before. The story may be rough, the tense flip flops back and forth between present and past and I have no idea if any teenager in the world will want to read it - let alone if I can find an editor who'll want to buy it...but I did it.

I tried something new :-)

Yes, trying new things can be frightening but it can also be FUN!! I had so much fun getting into my character's head and plotting out her story that now I HAVE to finish this story - no matter what *g*

In fact, I had so much fun that I decided to try lots of new things! For instance:

I got a new haircut. Okay, this one isn't that big of a deal since I'm constantly changing my hairstyle but I haven't gone this short in years - but I love my new 'do! If you see a Katie Holms look-alike at RWA's national conference...well...that's not me...but I do have a very cute chin length bob now *g*

I started wearing my heartrate monitor every time I work out. And what a difference that has made! Seeing how hard I'm working (or, maybe that should be, how hard I wasn't working) has really pushed me to work out harder.

I made guacamole. Yes, you can make it! I know, I had no idea either ;-) I thought it just came all prepared for me in a jar. But if you buy avocados that are nice and squishy (but not too squishy) you can mash them and add the little packet of seasoning (okay, so I cheated a bit *g*) and voila! Guacamole!

The best part about trying new things and having fun with them is that they made me want to try even MORE new things. So when I'm at the conference in San Francisco I'm going to:

Try new foods. This is very brave of me as there are quite a few foods I will not eat (but that's a whole 'nother blog) But this year, I shall try new dishes and I might even swap my favorite strawberry margarita for something totally new...a pomegranate margarita! Crazy, I know ;-)

Dance like no one is watching. Some of the parties have dancing and for once when I get out on the dance floor I'm not going to worry what I look like. I'm just going to have fun *g*

Approach people and introduce myself. While I'm not shy, I am an introvert (yes, I do think there's a difference *g*) but this year I'm putting myself out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll make a new friend or two :-)

What about you? What would you like to try that you've never done before? What's the latest "new" thing you've done?

One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of Stacey Kayne's latest awesome western, THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE. So let's hear from you!

90 comments:

Oh hey!!! I got Jennifer's boyfriend!! That sounds like a great book title. Maybe I'll try my hand at writing a contemporary for the first time. Think anyone would buy a book about a talented young writer and her Golden Rooster bwakarazzi dodging boyfriend?

Here is the complete list of things I would like to try for the first time. (No Frodo, you cannot eat the big golden bird, not even with barbecue sauce! GR, don't EVEN think about it!)

I have never had a sip of alcohol in my life, so if I win a Golden Heart OR get a book published, whichever comes first, I fully intend to take a hiatus from my tea totaling and have a glass of champagne.

I've never gotten a book published and I would love to try that one on for size.

I've never parachuted out of a plane and I would like to do that one day. My father was a 20 plus year veteran of the Air Force as a jet engine mechanic and he said "I see no reason to jump out of a perfectly good airplane."

I have never joined a gym and had a personal trainer and I would love to do that one day.

I've never learned to speak Welsh and I want to. I want to trace my father's family back to Wales and I want to go and stand in that place and tell all the ones who have gone before that I appreciate the storytelling genes and the musical genes they gave me.

I want to learn to country line dance even if I am not particularly fond of ALL country music.

I want to learn to make stained glass and when I find someplace close by to take lessons I am going to do it. My late DH had just started classes when he was killed.

I want to tell Wal-Mart to "Kiss My Grits Goodbye!" and I really, really want to do that.

We call that dancing like nobody is watching "Kitchen Dancing" - the dancing you do in the kitchen when you are listening to the radio and washing dishes and the fridge is your partner.

Congratulations, Louisa! Finally someone wrench the GR away from Jennifer, who is I am sure having a passionate affair with him.

Great blog post, Beth. I must admit that I'm not very adventurous with trying new things. I'm pretty much a chicken!

But when we were in Scotland, I tried haggis and black pudding. Haggis is sheep's liver, heart, and lungs mixed iwth spices, suet, onion, oatmeal and cooked inside the animal's stomach. Okay, I was game. I tried it. It wasn't bad.

But black pudding WAS AWFUL. It's a kind of sausage made by mixing blood with fillers such as bread, oatmeal, suet until it congeals. I understand it's an acquired taste. But not for me!

Snap with Louisa! It wasn't for the conference (it was for a TV appearance) but I had my hair coloured for the first time a few months ago.

This will be the first conference in about 4 years where I haven't been pregnant or half deaf with an ear infection, (touch wood) so I'm REALLY looking forward to having a great time and making the most of the conference. It will be the first time I've traveled overseas on my own and the first time I've met most Banditas face to face. Scary! The travel, I mean, not meeting the Banditas. Although I trust Aunty doesn't bring her crop...

Hey, Louisa, looks like the rooster is playing away from home for the day! Treat him nice and he might come back.

Jo, I'm with you - haggis perfectly edible, especially if you don't think what it is. It's like a slightly spicy mince. Black pudding? Bleuch! Not fit to feed your worst enemy.

Beth, really enjoyed your post. I'm about to do something on my 'bucket' list - and that's go to San Francisco and Yosemite. I'm EXTREMELY excited about it! I've had to get outside my comfort zone a bit since I've been published. Public speaking was anathema to me but I had to learn how to do it. It actually gives you a deep sense of satisfaction to conquer a fear!

Louisa, congratulations!! Now, poor Jennifer will be heartbroken, but I think it's probably for the best... ;-)

Beth, fabulous post! I suspect we will all look a bit different from our avatars, hm, ladies? I know I, for one, do not have shoulder length wavy hair! I have poker straight chin length hair. ;-) So you'll have to try to pick out the Banditas in the crowd. Good luck with that. Snort!

I am going to do something new before conference but I'm NOT TELLING WHAT! VBG!! I will post a pic if all goes well. If not, no one will ever know about it...

Hmm, what other new things should I do...I'll have to think about that and get back to you. :-)

Um...he is not my boyfriend...I was just trying to prevent him from getting too much info on the Banditas and the other Buddies...um...yeah, that's it. LOL Passionate affair? LOLOLOLOLOLOL There is no affair, I swear.

Hey! I got my hair cut recently too...and it's the shortest it has been since I was in second grade...and it kind of looks like Katie Holmes's hair...or at least it is a chin-length bob.

Another recent first was that I made brownies all by myself...yeah, not that impressive, but I am so not a cook so I was pretty proud. LOL

As for trying something new, well, I am about to do something BIG in a little over a week...travel solo. I have never been anywhere by myself and I am getting ready to go to San Francisco on a plane all by myself. Can we say nervous? It will also be my first ever conference (I have only been to signings). I am sure I will embarass myself somehow...if I manage to convince myself to leave the room. LOL

Some other things that I'd love to do include traveling outside the US, meet some of my fave authors without embarassing myself, learn to knit, crochet, cross-stitch, and scrapbook (the post the other day made me want to do this one), cook more, visit every state in the US, write a book...I could go on and on. I like making lists, but have a problem following through because...

Flight. Ever listen to Pink Floyd's Learning to Fly? Yeah, I know the video made it look like the song was about some weirdo spiritual Crow Indian stuff. But if you really LISTEN to the song, it's not. It's literally about learning to fly a plane. More specifically, about that first solo flight.

Into the distance, a ribbon of blackStretched to the point of no turning backA flight of fancy on a windswept fieldStanding alone my senses reeledA fatal attraction holding me fast, howCan I escape this irresistible grasp?

Cant keep my eyes from the circling skiesTongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

I can't think of a better summary. God I'd love to fly. Thus far, I've intentionally avoided aviation. I'm absolutely certain that the first time I'm at the controls, I'll be instantly and helplessly addicted. And I'd bankrupt myself to feed an addiction like that one.

p226 you sound like my hubby, his dream is to get his pilots licence but over here in Australia it costs an arm and a leg as well.I've never bought red stilettos, but once I finish my 12 week challenge and get back to my pre children fitness (I'm a HPE teacher) I;m going to get a pair of red stilettos and a little black cocktail dress and flirt with my hubby...

Although I trust Aunty doesn't bring her crop...Surely you jest, Mme! Of COURSE I'm bringing the crop. How ELSE will I keep any order at the Banditas' General Meeting? Plus, even if I forget to pack one, this is San Francisco! One quick little stroll over to the Tenderloin District and I'll have many more new toys that a crop... OOPS! That's something new I shouldn't discuss here.

But I can tell you that I just had a pedi and my toenails are cherry red! I've NEVER had them painted red before, I always pick a nice demure pink or mauve. But I decided to really go wild for conference. ;-)

I am a big chicken the only thing I would dearly love to do is quit my job and stay at home and read and get back into cooking and knitting etc and then travel I would love to see the world and Australia and meet some of my favourite Authors I have been lucky enough to meet Anna Campbell and it was such a thrill I would truly love to meet the rest of the Bandits.

I'm pretty much game for anything new. You only live one life so why not!

Like some others here, I have never colored my hair. And with my two boys, my lovely dark, dark brown hair has this funny gray looking things showing up. So this is definitely on my list for this year.

On my list of things to do is to attend the National conference at least once.

I want to parasail sometime in my life. I love the feeling of wind in my hair and looking at everything from a bird's point of view.

I really want to get a mani and a pedi. I know, I know. I am one of the last women on earth who have never stepped a foot into a spa. Guess I should add massage and facial to that list too.

Gee there are just too many things I want to do!

Oh, and to take a note from p226, I need to get a copy of the kama sutra *VBG*

Congrats on writing in a new genre. It's tough, I know. I thought I'd never write anything but paranormal. But I've found a great groove writing historical, and they are sooo much better than my paras...

I'm very picky with food. Haggis, blecht, at least I've tried it! Never again. Most of my pickiness stems from trying new meat and I no eaty pork [shivers]... I love trying all kinds of cultural foods and then making them.

I want to go to nationals next year :) I couldn't this year, but I am doing NJ in October--that'll be a first. And I'm going learn to talk to people even if I have to bloody well stutter through a decent convo.

Red stilettos, I've never had those either... I love pretty and hot shoes...

A good goal for first is selling a story. I'm working on making that one happen... :) That'll be the bestest ever first!

Oh I'm getting my first pedicure this week - my daughter is getting married Saturday and the bridal party (sans men) are doing all the girly things. I'm getting nails too which I did once before but like 30 years ago lol.

Attending National last year for the first time took courage from me. I liked haggis and black pudding when we tried them in Scotland, as well as the snails and frog's legs in France (two separate trips).

I'm going to not be obsessive about attending every workshop, but will network more. My courageous thing is going to be this one pair of 3.5" hells I'm going to be tottering in.

Jo, good for you on trying something new! There's no way I would ever try black pudding. One of the shows we like to watch here is Bizarre Foods and the host Andrew Something Or Other (I'll have to google him *g*) eats the weirdest foods ever. Anyway, one show they made blood pudding and it didn't look very appetizing to me *g*

Christine, sounds like you're going to have lots of amazing firsts! The first time I went to a National conference was back in when it was in Denver. It was the first time I'd ever flown by myself and only the second I've flown period. I didn't know a soul so it was very nervewracking but I ended up making some fabulous friends that year :-)

Now, I have to ask you and Louisa both: Are you happy with your hair color? Is it quite different from your natural color? I actually like my dark brown hair but must cover those greys *g*

I've tried everything from pitch black to sandy highlights to auburn. I keep thinking I should go blonde just because I've never done it before ;-)

Anna, yay for you on being able to check off a few items on your bucket list!

I so agree with you about public speaking - I've found it's not as horrible as I thought it would be and you're so right about the sense of satisfaction after doing something new (and to some, scary *g*)

I spoke at my neighbor's Red Hat Club last Monday and honestly had the best time! The ladies were so great and so much fun! Although it was a bit weird to think my kindergarten teacher would be reading my book ;-)

Jennifer, we can be twin Katie Holmes look-alikes! Actually, my sister has a very similiar hairstyle to mine but when I asked her if she wanted to wear matching outfits to our niece's graduation party yesterday, she refused.

As my daughter would say, she's harshing my mellow ;-)

I predict you'll have a grand time at the conference! They really are tons of fun.

Love your list of things you'd like to try! I've tried all of the crafty ones to some extent and my husband and I both dream of traveling throughout the US.

As for you and the GR...methinks you might be protesting just a bit too much ;-)

You know, I think I'd like to learn to fly as well which is really weird since I get so motion sick I have to wear a patch when I fly *g* But I love to drive (always have) and there's just something about being in that pilot's seat that would be so...well...freeing, I guess. And exciting *g*

But you're right, I think it would be quite addicting. For now, I'll have to stick much cheaper hobbies like collecting rocks ;-)

I've never had a pedicure. Isn't that shameful? I won't be able to fit one in before conference but perhaps I'll schedule one for when the kids go back to school. I do so like to celebrate the good times in life :-)

Beth, I can't wait to hear more about the YA partial, BTW! Not that I'm partial to YA or anything. *g* It's such a fun genre. I write in first person in my Delcroix series as well, and it presents some challenges, but is also very freeing in its own way...

Donna, I am SOOO not telling what it is. Might not even work out. But if will be cool if it does! :-)

Keira, 3.5" sounds like hells rather than heels, if you ask me. LOL. But I want to hear more about your tat party...

Buffie, we will definitely have to get you out to Nationals next year. It's such a fun party!! :-) I mean, er, educational experience!

Natalie, WTG on the 12 week fitness plan. I'm on the 12-week slide into sloth. Does that count?

Jennifer, we sooo have your back at RWA. No need to worry. Any gal that can hang with the GR can hang with us! You've got nothing to worry about. :-)

Beth, I LOVE my own dark brown hair color as well and fortunately the hairdresser did a fantastic job of matching it. I just wanted the gray gone and a little warmth added to my hair and she did exactly as I asked. Tammy at The Book Basket treated me to the cut and color in return for sitting for her five divine cats while she and her DH were out of town. They are all such sweeties - the cats, Tammy and the hubby. AND they have a new addition to their family - the single male cat, a little tuxedo kitten named, Romeo. Her DH said he needed some backup. Tammy and I did the entire girls' day and ended it shopping at Ulta for makeup? Ever been? OMG Makeup Heaven!! You will all get to meet Tammy as she is coming to Nationals with me to make sure I don't get into any trouble. SNORK!

Actually, Beth, I thought I might want to learn how to jump OUT of the plane before I learn to fly one. Just in case! :)

I've never made pie from scratch. I don't know how/why. I don't make pastries. I make cookies, cakes, brownies from scratch... (even biscuits) - but never a pie. Also... [hahaha the first few comments- Louisa is hilarious!]I might actually go on a blind date/meet and greet thing Friday. I've been avoiding it [actually have managed to avoid blind dates forever.]

Its been a long time since I have tried something new. As we get older we tend to just keep doing the same old thing all the time. I think I need a change, try something different. Get my hair cut off, got to Irland and Scotland wouldn't that be grand. Always wanted to go there.

Carol, it's a guided tour in a small bus - they reckon they can get into more parts of the park that way. And they also have longer in the park than the other tours I looked at. It's a long, long day, though. I'm assuming they're going to show me the highlights so sequoia grove here I come. And sadly, my suitcase is chock full of chocolate so there's no room for a hitchhiker!

Hi Beth, to answer your question, I'm happy with the hair colour. I went chestnut, which is pretty close to my natural colour anyway, but the slight copper tint brings out my eyes a bit (I hope). I tried a 'cool' brown but it drained the colour from my face. In summer I'll probably get some foils done so I have a few highlights.

I'm sure you always look pretty but I can't imagine you blonde. Maybe a honey brown colour like JLO. Hey, there are still a few days to the conference. Go wild! *VBG*

For my something new, I'm posting a comment on the Bandita Blog. No, wait, I've done that before...I think...never mind....I think I'll try getting drunk on tequila some morning when I come home from work and then stay up all day and crash that night. Been having trouble sleeping at night. That might fix it.Another thing I'd like to do is to actually do what they tell you in Cosmo and make eye contact with a really hot guy for the prescribed three seconds. Of course to do that, I have to find a really hot guy....

Hey Beth, I love your blog! And I'll just bet that haircut will make you look like Katie Holmes!

I'm doing new things in San Francisco, too. This year I'm going out early to do a little sight seeing with some friends. I've never been to California, much less San Fran, so this should be a great trip!

Unlike you, I won't ever make guacamole. Uh, it's the hives from avocados that keeps me from attempting it.

I want to get my passport, don't have one and go somewhere far from my home by myself, like London or Scotland, as I have no problem talking to strangers and making new friends. :)

I'm afraid of heights and have thought of doing a bungee jump or parachuting out of a plane, but I don't have the guts, so I'd settle for a helicopter ride. I am not comfortable about it either really, since you're seat in by the door.....

Tiffany, I love your goals of new things! NJ is a great conference! I'm hoping to attend but right now it's looking iffy. But never fear, I know lots of people going and they're all very friendly. You'll have a great time!

Congrats on trying historicals after writing only paranormals. Was it difficult for you to switch genre gears (so to speak *g*)

Christie, another twin *g* My hair is curly too but not so curly that I can't straighten it or just go wavy. Which I love because as I mentioned, I get bored easily so I like to be able to do different things with my 'do ;-)

Hi, Minna! What kind of pie did you make? I like pie but my crusts aren't that pretty. My mom makes the best pies. I don't have the patience *g*) But once our blueberries ripen and we can get some fresh peaches, I'm going to make a blueberry/peach pie. Yummy!

Hi, Virginia! Going to Ireland and Scotland would be grand, wouldn't it? Since Anna won't let me stowaway in her suitcase, maybe I could fit in yours? *g* Of course, with all those extra luggage fees the airlines are charging you probably won't let me :-)

I'm sure you always look pretty but I can't imagine you blonde. Maybe a honey brown colour like JLO. Hey, there are still a few days to the conference. Go wild! *VBG*

LOL - Christine, that's really nice of you to say but although I do think I should go blonde at least once in my life, I'm afraid I'd look pretty horrible. The lightest I've gone is a caramel (or honey brown *g*) highlights.

Suz, sightseeing with friends before the conference sounds like such fun! I'm actually staying a few days later than usual so that I can hang out with Tawny longer but we plan on lazing around, plotting our next stories, making goals and eating :-)

Do you like avocados? I'm just wondering if you feel like you're missing out by not being able to eat them *g* I'm allergic to apples (of all things) which I love but can only have if they're cooked or if I'm feeling brave (and take an allergy pill *g*)

Beth, remember when we were younger and our parents said to not talk to strangers, when you think about it, we do it all the time. Mostly everyone we come in contact with, we've not met before. :) I'm usually shy, but it's easier I think, because I need to see that person again.

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Donna MacMeans, Trish Milburn, and Nancy Northcott will all be in Atlanta for the Moonlight and Magnolias conference in Decatur, Georgia September 30 through October 2nd. If you're in the area, stop by for the booksigning. We'd love to see you.

Redeeming the Rogue by Donna MacMeans received a 4.5 star TOP PICK! review from Romantic Times Magazine.

Living in Color by Trish Milburn is now available on Kindle, Smashwords and at barnesandnoble.com for the Nook.